Da Nang Travel Guide for First-Time Travelers

Da Nang Travel Guide

 

Da Nang is halfway between the capital Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh city in the south. It is the fourth largest city in Vietnam. Apart from some historical sites, the famous Hai Van Pass, Son Tra peninsula and the beaches are the main reason for staying here. Vietnam Shore Excursions is here to write this blog to give you, hopefully, some knowledge before you get useful insight about Da Nang City. From how to head for an exit to suggested Da Nang Tours; the 10 must-visit attractions in Da Nang; the best restaurant for lunch; … This is all you need to take note!

da nang tours

Why should We visit Da Nang?

  1. Drive motorbike over the Hai Van Pass
  2. Explore the Son Tra peninsula
  3. Rock climbing at the Marble Mountains
  4. Relax on the beach
  5. Watch the fire show of the dragon bridge

Da Nang Practical Information

Recommended Days to Stay

If you are in Da Nang in the right season, it is a great place to stay for a few days at the beach. If you are desiring a bit more culture and things to do, it is recommended to skip this city and stay in the neighboring town of Hoi An.

ATM’s & Money Exchange

There are ATMs everywhere in the city, including a number at international banks.

Local Events and Holidays

  • Da Nang International Fireworks Festival: Held in the months of May or June, with spectacular displays of international fireworks teams illuminating the river and bridges.

tours in da nang

Best Time to Visit Da Nang

  • Dry season: April – August
  • Monsoon season: September – March
  • Warmest months: June – August (with the highest average temperature of 35 ° C)
  • Coolest months: November – January (with lowest average temperature of 18 ° C)

10 Best Things to Do in Da Nang

Not long ago, Da Nang was a port town like so many can be found in Vietnam. However, in a short time Da Nang has developed into one of the largest and most modern cities in Vietnam. The beautiful beaches of Da Nang and the surrounding area have made the city one of the best beach destinations in Vietnam.

There are lots of things to do in Da Nang, but especially around it. It is located right between the two ancient cities of Hoi An and Hue and you can find impressive national parks and stunning coastal roads.

Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass is at number one of the top 10 things to do in Da Nang. Made famous in an episode of the Top Gear TV show, the Hai Van Pass is now a must-do for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventurers looking for alternative things to do in Da Nang.

This 21 km long mountain pass between Da Nang and Hue offers some of the most incredible ocean views. A new highway tunnel that has been built ensures that the traffic over the mountain pass is minimal. Rent a scooter in the city and leave early in the morning if you plan to be back in Da Nang the same day.

  • Tip: If you are not sure enough to drive the motorbike over the Hai Van Pass yourself, you can take the Easy Rider on the back. Alternatively, you can also go by car or even by old military jeep.

tours from da nang

Son Tra Peninsula

The beautiful rainforest that juts out into the sea from the city of Da Nang is called the Son Tra peninsula. Rent a scooter to ride the newly constructed road to the end of the peninsula and view the nature reserve and head to the top for a great view. If you are lucky, you can see a very rare monkey, the red Duoc Langur. There are also a host of unspoilt beaches along the peninsula, making it one of the most beautiful and unspoilt sights in Da Nang.

  • Tip: If you are planning to stay in Hoi An, you can choose to make a day trip to Son Tra from here.

da nang shore excursions

Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a cluster of marble and limestone hills just 7 km from the city and one of the best sights in Da Nang. The mountains are full of caves, tunnels and Buddhist shrines that you can discover. You can climb to the top of the mountains for spectacular views of the entire area. If you are more adventurous, you can also rock climb and abseiling in the Marble Mountains.

da nang private tours

Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills is one of the best-known landmarks in Da Nang, particularly for Vietnamese tourists. It is one of the newest and most exciting projects in Vietnam. It is a mountain village on top of a mountain that looks like a medieval castle, but within these stone walls are modern accommodations, restaurants and a Fantasy Park full of exciting attractions. The newest addition is the golden bridge that is being held by two giant stone hands.

da nang tours

Relax on the Beaches

The best beaches in Da Nang are known for their clear water and fine sand. The more popular beaches, such as My Khe and Non Nuoc, are relatively close to the city center and are often full of locals during the weekend and on public holidays. You can also find plenty of local restaurants with fresh fish and Da Nang specialties at affordable prices. Beaches further from the city are often a lot quieter. View here the list of the most beautiful beaches in Da Nang.

my khe beach da nang

Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge is a long bridge with six lanes and a popular place among photographers. This unique bridge is built in the shape of a golden dragon. Although it is a beautiful sight at any time of the day, Dragon Bridge is special (and full of tourists) during the weekend because it is illuminated with colorful LEDs as the fire exhales and water spits out from 9 p.m.

dragon bridge da nang vietnam

Cham Island

If you want to see coral reefs, colorful fish, tropical beaches and islets, then the best thing to do in Da Nang is taking a trip to Cham Island. It is actually a cluster of beautiful islands that are only an hour’s boat ride from Da Nang. It is a great day trip or you can spend the night there. On a day trip you visit a few islands, you go snorkeling and you can relax on the beach.

cham island vietnam

Cham Museum

Cham Museum shows the age-old culture, lifestyle and customs of the indigenous Cham tribe in Vietnam, dating back to 192 AD. Founded during colonial French rule in 1915, it is known as the only museum of its kind in the world. Cham Museum Da Nang is divided into ten rooms, where 300 terracotta and stone sculptures from the 7th to the 15th century are exhibited.

Cham Museum - Vietnam Shore Excursions

My Son Sanctuary

My Son is approximately a 40-minute drive from Da Nang. There are several companies that organize trips there, or you can drive there yourself with a scooter. This attraction is not as big as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but it does offer a good insight into the past of the country. There is a small museum at the entrance and all the ruins have information boards.

my son sanctuary vietnam

Hoi An Ancient Town

The most famous landmark in the region is the old town of Hoi An. If you do not plan to stay in Hoi An, this is the best thing you can do from Da Nang. Read here how to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An. In this well-preserved old trading city, you can easily spend a whole day seeing and visiting old buildings, markets and the lanterns that give a nice atmosphere in the evening.

central vietnam tours

Maybe you are interested in Hue Tours or Hoi An Tours when you are traveling to Central Vietnam.

Best Hotels in Da Nang

There is also without a doubt already an oversupply of accommodation options in Da Nang. Many tiny resorts open with introductory offers and after being busy from 3 to 6 months upfront due to vacancy. As we mentioned, the number of resorts are along the coastline. While having a decision to Da Nang city for holiday or work, simply checking Booking.comAgoda.com or make a call to resort or travel company to book room as your wish.

Where to stay

On the beach – One of the best things to do in Da Nang is enjoying its beautiful beaches. So, for obvious reasons this is the best place to stay. There is a very long strip along the beach with different neighborhoods like Son Tra, An Thuong, My An and Khue My. This is also the place with the most hotels and (western) restaurants.

Near the river – The Han River is a very popular place to find a hotel in Da Nang with many restaurants, bars and good nightlife.

Staying in Hoi An – Most tourists choose to stay in Hoi An for a better atmosphere and take a day trip to Da Nang. It is only 45 minutes from Da Nang to Hoi An.

hotels in da nang vietnam

Budget hotels & hostels

  • Barney’s Da Nang Backpackers House
  • Travelers Nest Hostel
  • Danang Backpackers Hostel

Mid-range hotel

  • Halina Hotel and Apartment
  • Mitisa Hotel Da Nang
  • John Boutique Villa Apartment
  • Frangipani Boutique Hotel Da Nang
  • Avora Hotel

High end hotel & resort

  • Monarque Hotel Da Nang
  • Grandvrio Ocean Resort Da Nang
  • Inter Continental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Best Restaurants in Da Nang

There are many places where you can eat well in the city of Danang. Due to its location, in the middle of Vietnam, you can find many types of food from the rest of the country. In addition to local dishes, there are also many international style restaurants, with dishes like pizza, pasta, hamburgers and Indian food.

restaurants in da nang vietnam

  1. Thien Ly Danang-style
  2. Madame Hanh
  3. Market’s
  4. Tamarind Tree Restaurant Da Nang
  5. Sofia Restaurant
  6. Red Sky Bar & Restaurant
  7. Lam Vien Restaurant
  8. Madame Lân
  9. Ngon Villa Danang
  10. Burger Bros

Da Nang Nightlife

The nightlife and nightlife in Da Nang consist of a collection of rooftop bars, sophisticated lounges, friendly expat bars and lively night clubs.

Rooftop bars

  • Sky 36
  • Brilliant Top Bar

Clubs

  • New Phuong Dong Nightclub
  • Golden Pine
  • OQ Bar

Bar & live music

  • The Daw
  • Seventeen Saloon
  • Bamboo Bar 2
  • 7 Bridges Brewery

How to get to Da Nang?

how to get to da nang

Flights

The busy Da Nang airport has many domestic connections and popular international flights to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore. There are also a growing number of connections with Laos, China, Taiwan and South Korea. Domestic flights to destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat and Nha Trang are operated by regional airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar.

Busses

Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station in Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang and Hanoi.

Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station in Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang and Hanoi.

Trains

The Da Nang train station is just outside the city center and you will find a train connection that can take you anywhere in Vietnam. The train ride to Hue is one of the best in the country and is worth taking on itself as an excursion.

How to get around Da Nang?

how to go around da nang

Grab / Taxi: Getting a Grab taxi anywhere in Da Nang is pretty easy. This saves money compared to a normal taxi. You just have to download the app and have an internet or data connection. To avoid expensive taxis, you must choose a well-known taxi brand: Mai Linh Taxi, Vinasun Taxi, Tien Sa Taxi.

Motorbike rental: Traveling by motorbike is the most fun option of all. The average price for renting a motorcycle is 130,000 VND ($ 6) per day.

Private car: If you want to make a day trip to certain places of interest or a place outside Da Nang, you can rent a car with a driver.

Recommended Tours in Da Nang

da nang tour packages

Vietnam Shore Excursions is proud to share our signature Da Nang Tours offering exclusive access to unique cultural experiences and special interests. They range from half-day to full-day programmes and can be incorporated into any customized itinerary for a more meaningful and enriching travel experience. Please contact Vietnam Shore Excursions today for your best Da Nang Tours.

–> Da Nang City Tour 1 Day
–> Da Nang Food Tour by Walking
–> Ba Na Hills Tour – Private Tour
–> Hue Tour from Da Nang

You can see more options about Da Nang Tours when you are traveling to Da Nang, Vietnam.

More Tips for Traveling in Da Nang

Where to go next?

It is very easy to travel from Da Nang to other cities in Vietnam due to its airport with very good domestic connections. You can fly to Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat or Nha Trang. In addition, it is also located a 45-minute ride to Hoi An and a 1,5-hour ride to Hue.

Da Nang with Kids

Da Nang is a great place to bring children. There is a huge beach where they can play, different attraction parks such as Ba Na Hills and Asia Park and plenty of day trips you can do from here.

Language

Da Nang is a very international city, so most people in hotels and restaurants speak a decent word of English.

Are you tempted to visit Da Nang, Vietnam? Why not let Vietnam Shore Excursions arrange your perfect Da Nang Tours? Tell us your own ideas and requests by mailing to chiduyencssh@gmail.com. One of our travel experts will get back to you as soon as possible!

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David Nguyen - Vietnam Travel Expert

Mr. David Nguyen is a travel expert and as a seasoned traveler he has the inside track on the most memorable adventures which will help you to have unforgettable memories and wonderful experiences to better your Vietnam Holiday!

Hotline: +84913138096 (WhatsApp/ Zalo/ Imessage) Email: chiduyencssh@gmail.com

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